System and method for receiving a signal

Abstract

A system for receiving a signal is provided. The system includes a receiver that is operable to receive the signal, but which may also receive a noise signal. A duty cycle system is connected to the receiver. The duty cycle system can turn the receiver off and on at a controllable frequency. A signal strength system is also connected to the receiver, and is further connected to the duty cycle system. The signal strength system can determine the signal strength of the signal received by the receiver. If the signal strength indicates that the noise signal is not being received, the signal strength system generates control commands to the duty cycle system that cause the duty cycle system to cycle various components of the receiver that are used to suppress noise on and off, so as to conserve power.

1. A system for receiving a signal comprising:
 a receiver receiving the signal further comprising:
 a plurality of stages; and 
 a duty cycle system coupled to two or more of the plurality of stages, the duty cycle system turning each of the two or more of the plurality of stages off and on at a separately-controllable frequency; 
 
 an interference avoidance system coupled to the receiver, the interference avoidance system turning the receiver off and on at a controllable frequency; and 
 wherein the interference avoidance system applies a first duty cycle if interference is present and a second duty cycle if interference is not present. 
 
   
   
     2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the receiver further comprises a mixer stage changing the frequency of the signal, the duty cycle system coupled to the mixer stage turning the mixer stage on and off. 
   
   
     3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the receiver further comprises an automatic gain control stage controlling a gain of amplification of the signal, the duty cycle system coupled to the automatic gain control stage and turning the automatic gain control stage on and off. 
   
   
     4. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a signal strength system. 
   
   
     5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the interference avoidance system determines whether the magnitude of the signal output changes for a corresponding change in a duty cycle. 
   
   
     6. The system of  claim 1  wherein the interference avoidance system receives duty cycle data from a duty cycle system and selects a duty cycle based upon the duty cycle data. 
   
   
     7. The system of  claim 1  wherein the receiver further comprises:
 a mixer stage changing the frequency of the signal; and 
 a band pass stage filtering the signal. 
 
   
   
     8. A system for avoiding interference comprising:
 a signal input receiving a signal and determining whether interference is present; and 
 a receiver outputting control data for turning a receiver on and off based on whether interference is present, wherein the signal input receives the signal and determines whether interference is present by adjusting a duty cycle and determining whether a magnitude of an output signal increases or decreases in response to the adjustment of the duty cycle. 
 
   
   
     9. The system of  claim 8  wherein the signal has been processed by a receiver. 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 8  wherein the signal is a spread spectrum signal. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 8  wherein the receiver cycling output generates duty cycle control data. 
   
   
     12. The system of  claim 8  wherein the signal input receives the signal and determines whether the interference is an interfering channel and not system noise. 
   
   
     13. A system for receiving a signal comprising:
 a receiver receiving the signal, the receiver comprising:
 a mixer stage changing the frequency of the signal; 
 a band pass stage coupled to the mixer stage, the band pass stage filtering the signal; 
 a duty cycle system coupled to the mixer stage turning the mixer stage on and off at a first frequency; and 
 an automatic gain control stage coupled to the band pass stage, the automatic gain control stage controlling the gain of amplification of the signal, the duty cycle system coupled to the automatic gain control stage and turning the automatic gain control stage on and off at a second frequency; 
 
 an interference avoidance system coupled to the receiver, the interference avoidance system turning the receiver off and on at a controllable frequency; and 
 wherein the interference avoidance system applies a first duty cycle if interference is present and a second duty cycle if interference is not present. 
 
   
   
     14. The system of  claim 13  further comprising a signal strength system. 
   
   
     15. The system of  claim 13  wherein the interference avoidance system determines whether the magnitude of the signal output changes for a corresponding change in a duty cycle. 
   
   
     16. The system of  claim 13  wherein the interference avoidance system receives duty cycle data from a duty cycle system and selects a duty cycle based upon the duty cycle data.